Focused on how La Plata, Charles County, and Southern Maryland can build more resilient, sustainable, and people-centered places. It covers local development, housing, transportation, environment, community/economic development policies and plans, bringing thoughtful insights and expert voices to help shape a better future.
It's about connecting people, sharing knowledge, and building stronger, healthier, sustainable communities.
In this episode, I review the third year of my 4-year term, elected May 10, 2021. My term ends in May 2025. Please know that I am one of five (5) Council members, and differentiate our accomplishments as a Town Council, versus my activities. References: La Plata Bikeway Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) Development Capacity Analysis What is Complete Streets and Why?! Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Process...
This is an update to my February 6, 2024, podcast – FY 25 Budget Process My Ask: Review the draft FY 2024 Attend our Council meetings – in person, virtually (Microsoft Teams), or watch on YouTube. Links are in the Notes. Email me at djenkins@townoflaplata.org with your questions and comments. Thanks again for listening and for your interest and engagement with your Town! Town Council Meeting Agendas...
Hi and welcome again to this latest episode of La Plata Ward 4 Update Podcast. This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast, and my companion La Plata Ward 4 Video Update on YouTube. A pause to update you about recent Council meetings/ activities, and related issues. References: Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget Process Polls says Marylanders want more homes, in more places, to fit budgets Greater Greater Washington Poll Results Presentation...
There are many concerns and comments about growth in La Plata and Charles County, including if recent construction on MD 488 in the town or the county. This is outside the Town boundary, beyond and further east of Kings Grant. This construction is the last St. Charles neighborhoods – Piney Reach and Wooded Glen. The St. Charles Master Plan link is provided. This episode is a comparison of development in La Plata and Charles County. The source for this episode is the Maryland Department’s plannin...
This episode is a follow-up to my podcast, La Plata’s Infrastructure – Water, posted in July 2023. That provided background and detailed information about the Town’s water supply system and current status. The intent here is to provide facts and context in response to myths and rumors about La Plata’s ability to provide water to existing and new developments. La Plata Ward 4 Video Update - Development Capacity Analysis, April 2023...
Consistent with the Town’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan GOAL #16: Continue to make La Plata a very walkable community (Page 16), The Town of La Plata was awarded two grants for the construction of the La Plata Bikeway running from Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School on Willow Lane, along MD 6 Charles Street, adjacent to the Agricopia subdivision, adjacent to MD 488, to Radio Station Road to Laurel Springs Regional Park. The two grants: $1.44 million from the MDOT Transportation Alternatives Program ...
This is the first of a series of podcast episodes following the development of the Town’s FY 2025 budget. FY 25 year starts July 1, 2024, and ends June 30, 2025. The process started with a Town Council Budget Work Session, on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. The January 30, 2024, session outcomes were Understanding of the Town’s current financial standing The long-term budget outlook for the Town Department Directors communicate department priorities Elected officials establish priorities and communic...
I have talked about fiscal impacts from development in a previous Oct 22, 2023, podcast The Need for Fiscal Analysis, and La Plata Ward 4 Video Update, Fiscal Impact Analysis Examples, February 2023. I want to talk about this again, given the ongoing development of Pinegrove, which includes two commercial/office development areas, both located on the north side of Roswick Road. One site is 22 acres (Parcel P), while Parcel Q is 82 acres, proposing retail/office space, and residential units. This...
In this episode, I want to talk about my hopes for what Pinegrove can be. See my previous two videos on La Plata Ward 4 Video Update on YouTube, the first dated March 14, 2022, an overview of the project, followed by Pinegrove Update, December 3, 2023, a summary of construction to date. The following discussion is based on the developer’s approved Master Site Development Plan (MSDP) and attached project narrative. Please note: “ This Master Site Development Plan depicts the generalized nature of...
T his is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast and the companion La Plata Ward 4 Video Update on YouTube. This episode is about recent Town staff and Council actions. I hope all enjoyed the Christmas season and look forward to 2024! Welcome to David Winkler, new Ward 1 Council member, who took office on November 28, 2023, to complete the term of the late Council member James Goldsmith. Jim will be missed. I thank the Town staff for their continuin...
The source of this episode is a podcast called Go Cultivate! , produced by Verdunity, consultants in community planning, civil engineering, and engagement. This August 2023 podcast focuses on their work in Texas and around the country with observations about suburban growth and its consequences. La Plata and Charles County are experiencing this growth now, so I believe it's a relevant and important issue. References: Go Cultivate! The Need for Fiscal Impact, October 2023 Adequate Public Faciliti...
Hi and welcome again to this latest episode of La Plata Ward 4 Update Podcast. This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast and the companion La Plata Ward 4 Video Update on YouTube. I want to talk about the Navy Facility in Indian Head and its implications for La Plata. At the November 14, 2023, County Commissioner meeting, representatives from IH, County EDC, the Chamber of Commerce’s Military Alliance, the Town of Indian Head, and the College ...
Over the years, La Plata has developed many plans and studies/analysis to improve the downtown and adjacent areas. Selected policies and action items are highlighted from the studies. With all these plans, what progress has been made? What else can or should the Town do? My view: Some progress has been made, due to re-building from the tornado – La Grange Avenue, Centennial Street extension to US 301, and Talbot Street extension from US 301 to Washington Avenue. But we can do more – YES! Be a fu...
La Plata’s development pattern does not generate enough revenue/taxes to pay for services and infrastructure. There’s a gap between tax revenues needed to provide Town services and amenities, and the actual maintenance and other costs to pay for these services now and in the future, as town growth continues. There is a need to be fiscally sustainable so that service costs align with what citizens and businesses are willing and able to pay for now and in the future. There is also a need to re-eva...
This is podcast number 50! WOW – hard to believe! So, I will do a modified AAR - what went right, what went wrong, and how to improve my podcast review of my podcast. I used this process during my Army career (38 years, USA, MD/VA NG). I will modify this and discuss What Went Right and How to improve. Email your know your comments and ideas to djenkins@townoflaplata.org. Thanks! La Plata Ward 4 Video Update...
As you know I have been a member of Strong Towns for several years. I’ve talked about Strong Towns on this podcast, the most recent posted August 24, 2023 – Strong Towns – Local Conversations, The Next Step, and the first Strong Towns – New Thinking about La Plata’s Growth posted May 22, 2022. Please again note that the views expressed here are mine and do not represent the view of the Town. This discussion is from a September 8, 2023, Strong Town blog post 10 Things Every Elected Leader Should ...
This is another podcast about the Town’s infrastructure, what they do, and their future planning. This episode is about public safety - the La Plata Police Department, a critical component of any community. The source of this podcast is from the Police Chief and their 2022 accreditation report by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). A reminder that at the Town Council’s last meeting (the last Tuesday) each month, each department (Operations, Planning, Finance, Hu...
This episode is about the Town Planning Commission and Ex parte communications. The Town Council representative to the Planning Commission is Councilwoman Bryant-Ward, Ward 3. Source: Planning Ethics & Ex Parte Communications, Maryland Planning Commission Association (MPCA) Conference, November 7, 2019, Presentation by: Robert McCord, Esq. Secretary, Maryland Department of Planning; Town Planning Department. References: Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) Planning Commission E...
This is a follow-up to my August 13, 2022, podcast – Strong Towns – A New Thinking About La Plata’s Growth. This update is timely, given the continued development in and adjacent to La Plata during the past year. Full disclosure: I’ve been a Strong Town member for two years, following their blog and podcasts. Strong Town provides what I believe is a needed nuanced perspective about growth! Also, the views and opinions are mine, as one Town Council member, and do not reflect to views and opinions...
This is the next podcast in the series about growth in and adjacent to La Plata, and its impact on our infrastructure. The first in this series, La Plata Development, was posted on July 6. The Town’s water system followed this, posted on July 17, followed by the sewer system on July 26, The source of these podcasts is La Plata’s Director of Operations, and the staff, who operate these services. These are enterprise services, funded through user fees and state/Federal grants and loans. This podca...
I want to interrupt the infrastructure podcast series and provide facts in response to recent misleading statements about the County having approval authority for projects within the Town limits. References: Maryland Manual On-Line - Local Government/Municipalities La Plata, Maryland - Code of Ordinances...
This is the next podcast in the series about growth in and adjacent to La Plata, and its impact on our infrastructure. It’s important to understand all the planning and work behind the scenes to maintain, operate and expand the Town’s infrastructure. The water is there when you turn the faucet and the toilet flushes. The first in this series, La Plata Development, was posted on July 6. This was followed by an overview of the Town’s water system, posted July 17. The information source of these po...
This is the next podcast in the series about growth in and adjacent to La Plata, and its impact on our infrastructure. The first in this series, La Plata Development, was posted on July 6. Subsequent podcasts will talk about La Plata’s infrastructure (water, sewer, stormwater management), and ongoing actions to improve and expand these services. The source of these podcasts is La Plata’s Director of Operations, and the staff, who operate these services. These are enterprise services, funded thro...
This is the first of a series of podcasts about the growth in and adjacent to La Plata. I want to provide information on how La Plata is responding to this growth and my individual perspective as a Town Council member and professional planner. Podcast Links: Feb 5, 2023– Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance Continued Jan 17, 2023- Annexations – My perspectives January 11, 2023 – APFO December 12, 2022 – The HUB and Hawthorne Yards annexations – What's Next December 7, 2022 – Annexations – My Vot...
There are many concerns and criticisms about the growth and building in and adjacent to La Plata. In response, I am preparing a series of podcasts beginning with La Plata Development Revisited - an update about development projects in the Town. My June 13 podcast, La Plata Planning Department’s 2022 Annual Report, provides context about recent development trends. This will then be followed by separate podcast episodes about La Plata’s infrastructure – water, sewer, and stormwater management, and...
This is a summary of La Plata’s Planning Department’s 2022 Annual Report, required annually by the Maryland Department of Planning. This was reviewed and approved by the Town Planning Commission at their June 6, 2022, meeting. This report is available from the La Plata Planning Department Website - https://townoflaplata.org/index.asp?SEC=5AA8D8E3-4091-4775-A098-3942F5984801&Type=B_BASIC References: Podcasts: December 8, 2022, Podcast – My Vote and Why – The Hub/Hawthorne Yards. Adequate Publ...
In this episode, I review the second year of my 4-year term, elected on May 10, 2021. My term ends in May 2025. Please know that I am one of five (5) Council members, and I will differentiate our accomplishments as a Town Council, versus my individual activities. Shortly after I was sworn in on May 10, 2021. I wrote my goals for my 4- year term, based on the specific goals and actions from the September 2020 Town Comprehensive Plan. Please know that FY 24 budget preparation (starting July 1, 202...
As a planning concept, the goal tries to help people to get around without need of a car. A recent article ( The 15-Minute City, Deconstructed, March 8, 2023 ) talks about what a 15-minute city is and what it includes. “It's measure is simply this: how far can you walk or bike in 15 minutes? So, the 15-Minute City of one of your neighbors a couple blocks away is slightly different from your 15-Minute City. And it’s not a question of how far you’re able to travel, but rather of how far you’re wil...
Each year the Maryland Department of Transporation (MDOT) prepares its Consolidated Transportation Plan (CTP), Maryland's six-year capital budget for transportation projects and programs across all MDOT agencies, including the State Highway Administration (SHA), Mass Transit Administration (MTA), all affecting La Plata. The current CTP is for FY 23 through FY 28. La Plata, in coordination with Charles County, provides our respective transportation priorities to MDOT each April as input to the CT...
Here is an update of recent Town Council actions: Fiscal Year (FY )24 Budget Prep: February 20, 2023, Town Council Budget Retreat Planning Department : Development Capacity Study Draft Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO Planning Commission January 3, 2023 Planning Commission January 18, 2023 Wills Park improvement plans are underway, including an amphitheater, and trails, with a connection to the proposed Charles County La Plata Farm Park, a new County Park (50 acres) adjacent to and nor...
